Politicians Debate HPV Vaccine ‘Mandate’

Vaccines are in the news again -- not only because flu season is on the horizon, but because of a heated debate between Republican presidential hopefuls Rep. Michele Bachmann and Texas Gov. Rick Perry about the HPV vaccine.

As you may know, human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and lead to cancer. The virus spreads through skin-to-skin sexual contact, and infects nearly 6 million Americans every year. In 2006, the government approved a new vaccine to prevent the spread of HPV -- but it's been controversial from the get-go.

During the recent GOP debate, Bachmann blasted Perry’s attempt to “mandate” the HPV vaccine for sixth-grade Texas girls in 2007, calling it “…what potentially could be a very dangerous drug.” Bachmann also suggested that Perry’s executive order violated parents’ rights, even though Perry insists it contained an opt-out clause. (The measure was later blocked by the legislature.)

On the “Today” show, Bachmann even recounted a story about a woman whose daughter took the vaccination and suffered from mental retardation thereafter. (According to health officials, there is no link between the vaccine and mental retardation.)

Others have argued that the vaccine encourages promiscuity.

But now the tables are turned, with several mainstream medical organizations slamming Bachmann’s comments.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics would like to correct false statements made in the Republican presidential campaign that HPV vaccine is dangerous and can cause mental retardation. There is absolutely no scientific validity to this statement. Since the vaccine has been introduced, more than 35 million doses have been administered, and it has an excellent safety record,” the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Cancer Society recommend the “life-saving” vaccine for young girls, particularly those ages 9 to 11.

Still not sure where you stand on the issue? Here’s a deeper look at the pros and cons of the HPV vaccine:

The Pros- If you get the vaccine (at the right age), studies show you can almost completely wipe out your cervical cancer risk and your chances of developing genital warts. You may also protect yourself against other cancers, too. Plus, there are actually two options for the vaccine: the quadrivalent vaccine (a.k.a. Gardasil), which acts on four types of HPV, and the bivalent vaccine (a.k.a. Cervarix), which protects against two HPV types.

- Evidence shows that the HPV vaccine offers safe and effective protection against a virus that affects more than 20 million Americans. In fact, by age 50, 80 percent of American women have been exposed to the virus.

- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, since the vaccine has been introduced, more than 35 million doses have been administered, and it has an excellent safety record.

The Cons- The vaccine has only been in use for six to seven years — not the standard 20 to 30 years for many vaccines.

- Reports of side effects range from mild (acute dizziness, fainting, nausea and soreness at the injection site) to severe (Guillain-Barre syndrome, which may cause muscle weakness, blood clots and death).

- Unlike some immunizations, which require only one pinprick, the HPV vaccine requires a series of three shots over a six-month period for young women to be fully immunized against the virus (though some reports suggest that two doses of the vaccine may work as well as three).

A helpful side note: Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable. Most experts say the key is to get the vaccine if you’re under 26 and get a pap smear every year (if you’re over 30 and have had normal paps up until now, you can talk to your doc about going a bit longer between screenings). About half of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer have never had a pap, and an additional 10-plus percent have not had a pap in the last five years.